General News
10 January, 2025
The year that was 2024
THE Warrnambool Weekly this week takes readers on a journey back to some of the news and events that made headlines in your local paper throughout 2024.
~ JANUARY ~
There was disappointment across the district early this month when Brophy announced the closure of its Tasty Plate café and catering service.
Heavy rain across the district sent many holidaymakers indoors while Panmure’s Brendan Hyland returned home to find his kitchen ceiling had collapsed.
Visitor numbers to Port Fairy once again climbed as the annual Show n Shine attracted a large crowd to Southcombe Park oval.
Orford also saw its population swell with the holding of its annual vintage rally.
Some of South West Healthcare’s youngest patients benefitted from the introduction of new Smileyscopes which proved a great distraction while undergoing blood tests and other medical procedures.
~ FEBRUARY ~
The next stage of the Koroit township renewal works got underway, with footpath construction works on Commercial Road.
The illegal dumping of rubbish and other unusable items was proving costly for Are-able, with rubbish often left at clothing recycling centres across the region.
The annual Moyne Community Awards paid recognition to several local community members, with Port Fairy’s Geoffrey Scott named Citizen of the Year, Grassmere’s Callum Bridge Young Citizen of the Year and the Port Fairy Marathon named Community Event of the Year.
Motorbikes of all shapes and sizes flooded the Civic Green for Warrnambool Bike Night, making a colourful spectacle for all to enjoy.
The annual Koroit Truck Show once again proved popular, with a wide range on display along with a ‘truckies’ tug-of-war, foot races and a range of stalls.
Local Tim Baulch, who is considered by many a ‘legend’ around the Warrnambool train station, had several of his paintings hung at the station for staff and visitors to enjoy.
Sheepdogs and their handlers travelled to Port Fairy from all over the country for the first day of the 2024 Commonwealth Championships Sheepdog Trials.
The distribution of free rapid antigen tests came to an end.
The waves were crashing and the smiles endless at the Warrnambool beach when the first of the year’s Disabled Surfers Association sessions was held.
~ MARCH ~
Warrnambool will have a seven-ward electoral structure for the local government elections to be held later in the year.
Emmanuel College launches its major capital appeal for the state-of-the-art Edmund Rice Centre. The appeal kicked off with a basketball match between the All Stars Warrnambool Legends and a group of college students.
The saying ‘when one door closes, another opens’ rang true for Brandon Kerr. Shortly after the closure of Tasty Plate, Brandon landed himself a position with Kings Catering thanks to are-able.
Relay for Life, held in Warrnambool, was a huge success and was expected to raise just on $65,000 for the Cancer Council thanks to the efforts of Jodie Carey and her dedicated team of volunteers, participants and sponsors.
Warrnambool City Council introduced its first electric car, used to deliver Meals-on-Wheels.
Warrnambool West Primary School students were thrilled to see some Geelong Cats footballers in the school grounds during a special clinic.
The lawns of Lake Pertobe came alive with music, colour and fun for the Warrnambool Portugese Festival.
The Gillin Boys Foundation once again ran a successful Walk 4 A Cure in Warrnambool.
Teenager Alexander Cox competed in the Ultimate Ninja World Series Championship Finals in California against some of the world’s best warriors.
Stan McCullough and Greg Bos called on the community to get behind their entry in the 2024 Shitbox Rally, with the aim to raise $15,000 for the Cancer Council.
Warrnambool City Council announced it was seeking state government funding to secure the long-term prosperity of the Warrnambool airport.
Thanks to the generosity of locals, Warrnambool father Doug Bowen and his young family were able to find permanent housing, ending a four year battle.
Merri River students are one step closer to a new outdoor space thanks to the generosity of Bega Koroit and the Koroit Irish Festival with a generous $30,000 donation.
~ APRIL ~
The wider community was in mourning following the loss of one of its own with the sad passing of stalwart Andrew Suggett.
The Crystal Lee Foundation appeal to keep its bereavement support counsellor on the road reached the half-way mark of its targeted $5,000.
Excitement rippled through Warrnambool when the Great Moscow Circus arrived in town.
Surrounded by friends from the Warrnambool CWA, May Spikin celebrated her 100th birthday at Lyndoch.
The district stopped to honour and remember its fallen heroes at Anzac Day services across the region. Former member of the Royal Australian Air Force, William ‘Bill’ Vale shared his experiences with the Weekly from his room at Warrnambool’s Mercy Place.
South West Healthcare sent out a call for more volunteers for its palliative care service.
~ MAY ~
Koroit turned a shade of green for its annual town festival, with organisers claiming it was “one of the biggest festivals to date.”
Race enthusiasts were treated to clear skies and sunshine for the annual three day May Racing Carnival which, once again, attracted thousands of visitors to Warrnambool.
Just over 180 special guests kicked off race week with a special fundraising luncheon for Myeloma Australia.
Students from Emmanuel College took to the stage for their production of ‘The Sound of Music,’ delighting audiences with their strong vocals and stage presence.
A crime spree across the region saw several vehicles stolen between Warrnambool and Camperdown.
Lake Pertobe was awash with shades of pink for the annual Mother’s Day Classic.
Less than a year after the shock closure of Terang’s May Noonan Aged Care Centre, Lyndoch Living in Warrnambool announced its dissolution.
~ JUNE ~
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen met locals during a tour of South West Healthcare to promote the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies program.
Plans to build a gazebo and garden for acute mental health patients at South West Healthcare took a big step forward thanks to donations from the Rotary Club of Warrnambool West and the Nirranda Football Netball Club.
Jeff made it back-to-back victories at the Port Fairy Dachshund Dash much to the delight of owners Ben Holte and Kate Fergusson.
St Patrick’s Primary School Port fairy won a Sustainability Victoria award in the Community Leadership School of the Year category.
New turf was rolled out at the Brierly Recreation Reserve as part of the area’s redevelopment project.
Kings College student Alena Topraz instigated the planting of several fruit trees in the schoolgrounds after noticing some other students were going without fruit.
The state government announced a $100,000 upgrade for Warrnambool’s Civic Green.
~ JULY ~
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Crystal Lee Foundation’s $100 Club appeal reached, and exceeded, its $5,000 target to keep bereavement counsellor Michael Turner-Downes on the road.
After more than two decades operating the Warrnambool Animal Shelter, RSPCA Victoria handed the reins to Warrnambool City Council.
Thousands of people headed to Lake Pertobe to celebrate winter at this year’s Solstice Search Party.
The long-awaited Port Fairy skatepark and play space is a step closer to fruition thanks to a $1 million state government grant.
Former Emmanuel College student Annameike Cozens was one of six state-wide to receive an Outstanding VCE Vocational Major Student Award.
Attempts by council to establish a Chamber of Commerce for local businesses failed to form a group.
The Lighthouse Theatre was awash with orange when Emma Memma made a special appearance.
Moyne Shire Council was seeking expressions of interest for the future management of the Port Fairy Community Pool and Fitness Centre.
~ AUGUST ~
Hampden League clubs North Warrnambool and Koroit played for the ‘Connect Cup’ to remember, honour and pay tribute to loved ones, friends, colleagues and family members lost to suicide.
Dennington Kindergarten children returned from winter holidays to find a brand new cubby house thanks to members of the Warrnambool Men’s Shed.
A volunteer expo in Warrnambool showcased a large range of community groups, encouraging locals to join.
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village recorded its busiest winter school holidays in years, with 2913 daytime visitors between the end of June and July 14.
Warrnambool mobile intensive care ambulance flight paramedic Leigh Howlett soared to new heights when he swapped his national trampolining outfit for an Ambulance Victoria uniform.
Warrnambool Unpackaged Food Cooperative celebrated 30 years of community and sustainability.
Fifteen brave Warrnambool College students and teachers shaved their heads for charity.
~ SEPTEMBER ~
Warrnambool College students took audiences back to the roaring 20s with their colourful production of ‘The Great Gatsby.’
Warrnambool’s James Mugavin will return to Cambodia early next year to again support local families living in poverty. James set out to raise money for the Cambodian Children’s Fund.
Koroit Primary School students set up a display to show their support for Paralympian Jaylen Brown.
Concept plans were released for a proposed Brierly Sports and Community Hub, with residents invited to have their say.
An idea to install vending machines for campers landed 17 year-old Isaac Purcell with a $10,000 start-up boost as the winner of the Ideas Place Pitch Night.
Road works began to mark the start of the Port Fairy Play and Skate project.
Warrnambool’s Urgent Care Clinic moved from Fairy Street to new premises in Banyan Street.
South Warrnambool Football Netball Club ended a successful season, with the club bringing home several Hampden League premiership flags.
~ OCTOBER ~
Dino-mania hits Gateway Plaza when Razor the Raptor and his friends made a special appearance.
Former diver, Julie Wilkins, who found gold sovereign among the wreckage of the Loch Ard more than 20 years ago, returned to Flagstaff Hill to view the treasure on display.
Beach Patrol volunteers cleared a massive 738 kilograms of rubbish from Discovery Bay.
The famous Daniher’s Drive pulled in to Warrnambool, with almost 60 cars converging on the town as part of their FightMND regional road trip.
Andrew Suggett’s legacy continued to shine when a large crowd gathered for the annual Fight Parkinson’s ‘A Walk in the Park.’
Once again the Multicultural Festival attracted thousands to the Civic Green despite cool conditions.
An estimated 200 visitors enjoyed the chance to look inside the Warrnambool Men’s Shed at an open day.
South West Hockey referee Callum Bridge officiated the bronze medal match at the under 14 Hockey Australia national championships.
Masks are finally coming off across South West Healthcare settings, with the service announcing masks were no longer compulsory for everyone.
Paralympic medallist Ahmed Kelly caused plenty of excitement when he visited Merri River School.
~ NOVEMBER ~
A world-first engineered wood product made exclusively from locally grown bluegum timber has been manufactured in Warrnambool.
Sunshine and fun greeted showgoers to the 2024 Warrnambool Show.
Warrnambool’s Virginia Mack was recognised as one of the state’s top seniors with an ‘Ageing Well Award’ as part of the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Amid bright sunshine and clear skies, large crowds flocked to St Patrick’s Koroit for the annual Picnic in the Paddock.
Former students of Warrnambool’s Christian Brother’s College returned to the classroom for a special reunion weekend.
The annual Port Fairy Show was a great hit among visitors young and old, with a variety of attractions proving popular with the crowd.
Wreckfest gave visitors to Flagstaff Hill the chance to step back in time and immerse themselves in the lives of our forefathers while offering a glimpse of the way they lived.
The first VLocity train rolls in to Warrnambool.
Southern Stay Disability Services introduces its new CEO, Jason Fleming.
A colour run marked the end of school for Warrnambool College’s Class of 2024.
Round one of sprintcar action at Premier Speedway Warrnambool saw Tasmania’s Jock Goodyer take the chequered flag in what was an action-packed night of racing.
Warrnambool’s first ‘Wheelie Convoy’ was enjoyed by several locals, with wheelie walkers, wheelchairs, mobility scooter and trikes making their way along the Promenade.
Police investigate the circumstances surrounding a fatal collision in Port Fairy.
The district pauses to remember and pay their respects at Remembrance Day services.
Thousands of locals and visitors headed to St John’s Primary School to enjoy Dennington’s Day Out.
Inner Wheel Warrnambool kick started an appeal to raise much-needed funds for an assisted CPR machine for South West Healthcare.
~ DECEMBER ~
Book lovers head to the Warrnambool Library to enjoy the inaugural Readers Rendezvous – a new service for book clubs, book lovers and book clubbers.
An elderly Warrnambool woman was startled to find an intruder in her home in the early hours of the morning.
Warrnambool City Council voted in favour of an alcohol consumption ban in the CBD.
The 2024 Warrnambool Rodeo again drew huge crowds to the showgrounds, with an action-packed evening of entertainment.
Warrnambool fisher Luke Smith landed a huge 101.5cm cod at Rocklands Reservoir.
Wet conditions greeted runners and supporters at the Warrnambool Gift while a strong crowd of participants and supporters also enjoyed this year’s Hally’s Run\Walk.
A Warrnambool couple celebrated a $1.2 million Tattslotto win.
The Crystal Lee Foundation begins its Gift a Fifty campaign, encouraging residents to dig dee to help families impacted by the cancer diagnosis of a young one.
The Rotary Club of Warrnambool sends a plea for help to move hundreds of books in preparation for its next giant book sale.
There was plenty of spirit at Christmas Carols across the district, including at Dennington’s Carols by the Merri and Warrnambool’s event on the Civic Green.
Bikers again dig deep at the annual toy drive, donating hundreds of toys to the Salvation Army for distribution this Christmas.
Holiday Actors and the Dennington Community Association combine to bring Christmas cheer, gifts and carols to staff and patients at South West Healthcare.
Warrnambool City Council approves funding for facade upgrades at several businesses across the city.
